gpfot'ant of $*mpw. 



<&/„,/,. ' V....3 

~mjf 



1.1 



UNITED STATES OF AMEKICA. 



Ml 



■ **"*j ■ < 



m 















Bt 

H 

I 

BSB1 ■>'■< ■■ 



■ v* m 



■ 



HM 




I 










w 



nm 



jm 



m 

■ ■ 



THE MOTHERS LEGACIE. 



4mA 1 



THE 



MOTHERS LEGACIE, 



TO HER 



VNBORNE CHILDE. 



BY Joce Lx^*s 
Elizabeth Ioceline. 



FROM THE EDITION OF 1 625. 



Edited, with an Introduction, 
BY MRS. S. J. HALE. 





/ 

PHILADELPHIA : 

DUFFIELD ASHMR 
1871. 







Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1870, by 

SARAH JOSEPHA HALE, 

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington. 

ELECTROTYPED BY J. PAGAN & SON. 



To the Reader who honors the feminine character, 
this little .Book is offered as a touching 
example of a zvoman's self-sacri- 
ficing love. May these 

utterances from 

the pure soul of a tender 

wife and mother, speaking across 

the chasm of more than two centuries, teach 

lessons of true wisdom to the daughters of America. 

SARAH JOSEPHA HALE. 



INTRODUCTION. 



THE little book here republished 
was sent to the Editress by a 
friend, upon whom its simplicity and 
pathos had made a deep impression. 
In the accompanyingletterhesays, "To 
my mind, The Mother's Legacie is sim- 
ply the most touching thing which has 
been written ; I think no one can read 
her letter to her husband without 
tears/ 3 This is, for any book, an ex- 
treme measure of praise ; and the Ed- 
itress, concurring with it, has brought 



IX 



x Introduction. 

The Mother's Legacie before the Ame- 
rican public. The English reprint of 
1853, from which this edition is made, 
is encumbered by a tedious and partly 
irrelevant introduction, in lieu of 
which the Editress offers these few 
pages, to explain the circumstances 
under which the book was written, 
and her reasons for the republica- 
tion. 

The Mother's Legacie was written 
some two hundred and fifty years ago 
by Elizabeth Joceline, who had then 
been married six years. Her maiden 
name was Brooke. While she was 
yet a child, her mother died ; and 
Elizabeth's early years were passed 



Introduction. xi 

under the roof of her grandfather, 
Bishop Chaderton, a man of equal 
learning and piety. There she was 
trained both to mental and moral ex- 
cellence. That age showed, by many 
examples, the capacity of women for 
a sound and thorough education, and 
in all the learning of the schools, espe- 
cially in the Greek and Latin, which 
then represented learning to Christ- 
endom, she was no unworthy compeer 
of Lady Jane Grey and Lady Cecil. 
To the careful training of her grand- 
father, we may also ascribe that vital 
piety which was the foundation of 
her character, and has impressed it- 
self upon every line of this memorial 



xii Introduction. 

to her child. In 1 61 6 she married Mr. 
Tourell Joceline. We know him only 
through his wife; but her love for him 
and her faith in him were so great, 
that we may well see him with her eyes. 
After a happy married life of six years, 
her time being near, she wrote this 
Letter, that if she died in childbirth, 
her baby might not wholly lose the in- 
fluence of her teaching. With the 
Legacie she left a letter to her hus- 
band, so loving and tender, so full of 
womanly sweetness and humility, that 
the book may serve for mothers as 
well as children ; leaving to him the 
charge of her unborn child, and the 
performance of her wishes. 



Introduction. xiii 

The event against whose conse- 
quences she had striven to guard un- 
happily came to pass. After the birth 
of her child, she fell sick of a fever, 
which in nine days ended her life. She 
died in October, 1622, in her twenty- 
seventh year. 

The Legacie was printed in 1625, 
having received Bishop Goad's appro- 
bation. It has been reprinted at least 
three times: in 1684, m J 84A and 
again in 1853 by Blackwood and Sons. 
In that edition, as in this, the original 
spelling has been carefully preserved. 
It differs from that of the present day 
in so few particulars, that no difficulty 
will be felt by the reader ; while the 



xiv Introduction. 

verisimilitude of the work is preserved. 
"The morality of the book," says our 
friend, "is far above the standard of the 
age, and shows the dawn of the Puri- 
tanical spirit. I see nothing in it which 
we would not now accept as the true 
teaching of the Gospel." With the 
ideas we have preserved as well the 
form of the age. Yet it is singular 
how perfect is the application of the 
book to the wants of our domestic life. 
It speaks of things that can never 
grow old, that will endure so long as 
the household endures. The affection 
of a wife, the solicitude of a mother, 
speak to us over the gulf of centuries 
with an accent as distinct and as touch- 



Introduction. xv 

ing as the voice of yesterday. It is 
for this reason that the Editress has 
ventured, in a time when children's 
books may be counted by hundreds, to 
offer the Legacie to American Protes- 
tants. The vitality of the little book, 
the hold which it takes on its readers, 
has been sufficiently shown. Ever 
and anon, a new edition has kept alive 
the writer's memory in her native land. 
The Editress hopes that, in America 
as well, its beauty and its wisdom will 
commend it to Christian hearts. 

Philadelphia: October, 1870. 



THE 

MOTHERS 

Legacie y 
To her vnborne 

C H I L D E. 

By Elizabeth 
Ioceline. 

The third Impression. 



LONDON, 

Printed by John Hauiland^ 

for Hanna Barres. 

1625. 



The Approbation. 

OVr lawes disable those 
that are vnder Couert- 
baron, from disposing by 
Will and Testament any 
temporall estate. But no 
law prohibiteth any possess- 
or of morall and spirituall 
riches, to impart them vnto 
others, either in life by com- 
municating, or in death by 
bequeathing. The reason is, 
for that corruptible riches, 

i 9 euen 





The Approbation. 




euen to those who haue 
capacity of alienating them, 
bring onely a ciuill propriety, 
but no morall and vertuous 
influence for the wel dis- 
pensing, or bestowing them : 
whereas vertue and grace 
haue power beyond al em- 
peachment of sex or other 
debility, to enable and in- 
struct the possessor to em- 
ploy the same vnquestiona- 
bly for the inward inriching 
of others. 

This truly rich bequeath- 
es taking that care for the 
prouiding an euerlasting 
portion for her hoped issue, 
which too many parents bend 

20 wholly 



The Approbation. 




wholly vpon earthly inherit- 
ance, by her death already 
hath giuen vnto her Testa- 
ment that life and strength, 
whereof the Scripture speak- 
eth, A Testament is of force 
after death : Now remained 
the other validitie & pri- 
uile'ge of a Testament, that 
it bee enacted in perpet- 
uall and inuiolable Record. 
Which in this was necessary 
not so much for the security 
of the chiefe and immediate 
Legatary, as for the benefit 
of all those, who, by the 
common kindred of Chris- 
tianity, may claime their por- 
tion in this Legacy, left in 

21 pios 





L 



Jiiii-UM jaaa 



The Approbation. 



pios vsus; whereout, whoso- 
euer taketh, yet leaueth no 
whit the lesse for others in 
remainder. 

Wherefore vpon the very 
first view, I willingly not 
onely subscribed my App7^o- 
bat for the registring this 
Will, among the most pub- 
liqueMonuments, (the rather 
worthy, because proceeding 
from the weaker sex,) but 
also, as bound to do right 
vnto knowne vertue, vnder- 
tooke the care of the publi- 
cation thereof, my selfe hau- 
ing- heretofore bin no stran- 
ger to the Testators educa- 
tion and eminent vertues. 

Whereof, 



22 




The Approbation, 



Whereof, I here beheld 
reflection cleere enough, 
though perhaps not so par- 
ticularly euident to those 
that take knowledge of 
them onely by this Abstract. 
In her zealous affection 
to the holy Ministry, thereto 
dedicating, (if by sex capa- 
ble) her yet scarce budding 
first fruits, I saw the linea- 
ments of her owne parent- 
age : Shee being the onely 
off-spring deriued from a 
reuerend Grandfather, Doc- 
tor C//tf^r/<?7£,sometimeMas- 
ter of Queens Colledge in 
Cambridge, and publique 
Professor of Diuinity in that 

23 Vnmersitie, 



2 Tim. iii. 
15, 16. 



The Approbation. 



Vniuersitie, afterward Lord 
Bishop, first of Chester, and 
thence of Lincolne : by and 
vnder whom shee was from 
her tender yeeres carefully 
nurtured, as in those accom- 
plishments of knowledge in 
Languages, History, and 
some Arts, so principally in 
studies of piety. And thus 
hauing from a childe knowne 
the holy Scriptures, which 
made her wise vnto saluation 
through faith in Christ, how 
well shee continued in those 
things, which shee had learned, 
appeareth, as otherwise to 
those that knew her, so here 
to all by the frequent and 

24 pertinent 



The Approbation. 



pertin ent application of them 
in these instructions. 

In her prosecution of the 
duty of obedience vnto Pa- 
rents, I view the deepe im- 
pression, long since, when 
shee was not aboue six 
yeeres old, made in her 
minde by the last words of 
her owne Mother, charging 
her vpon her blessing to 
shew all obedience and reu- 
erence to her Father (Sir 
Richard Brooke) and to her 
reuerend Grandfather. 

In the whole course of 
her pen, I obserue her piety 
and humility : these her 
lines scarce shewing one 

25 sparke 




The App7 r obation. 



sparke of the elementary 
fire of her secular learning : 
this her candle being rather 
lighted from the lampe of 
the Sanctuary. 

In her commission of the 
office of an Ouerseer to her 
husband, what eies cannot 
behold the flames of her true 
and vnspoted loue toward 
her dearest, who enioyedher 
about the space of six yeeres 
and a halfe, being all that 
while both an impartiall wit- 
nesse of her vertues, and an 
happy partner of those 
blessings both transitory 
and spirituall, wherewith 
shee was endowed. 

26 Beside 



um.v,.*mi. 



The Approbation. 



'* 



Beside the domestique 
cares pertaining to a wife, 
the former part of those 
yeeres were implbyed by her 
in the studies of morality 
and history, the better by 
the helpe of forreigne lan- 
guages, not without a taste 
and facultie in Poetrie : 
Wherein some essay shee 
hath left, ingenious, but 
chaste and modest like the 
Authour. Of all which 
knowledge shee was very 
sparing in her discourses, 
as possessing it rather to 
hide, than to boast of. 

Among those her eminen- 
cies deseruing our memory, 

27 was 



was her owne most ready 
memory, enabling her vpon 
the first rehearsall to repeat 
aboue forty lines in English 
or Latine : a gift the more 
happy by her imployment of 
it in carrying away an entire 
Sermon, so that shee could 
(almost following the steps 
of the words, or phrase) 
write it downe in her Cham- 
ber. 

The latter yeeres of her 
life shee addicted to no other 
studies than Diuinity, where- 
of some imperfect notes re- 
maine, but principally this 
small Treatise found in her 
Deske vnfinished, by reason 

28 either 



The Approbation. 



either of some troubles be- 
falling her about a moneth 
before her end, or of preuen- 
tion by mis-reckoning the 
time of her going with this 
her first (now also last) 
Childe : which Treatise, in- 
tended for her childe, shee 
so leauing,recommended the 
same to her husband by her 
letter to him, written and 
subscribed by her owne 
hand, as hereafter followeth. 
The many blessings, shee 
enioyed, were not without 
some seasoning of afflictions, 
which by the good vse shee 
made of them, bred in her a 
constant temper of patience 

29 and 



1 




The Approbation. 



and more than womanly for- 
titude : especially in her 
latter time, when as the 
course of her life was a per- 
petuall meditation of death, 
amounting almost to a pro- 
pheticall sense of her dis- 
solution, euen then when she 
had notfinishedthe 27.yeere 
ofherage,nor was oppressed 
by any disease, or danger, 
other than the common lot 
of child-birth, within some 
moneths approaching. Ac- 
cordingly when she first felt 
herselfe quicke with childe 
(as then trauelling with death 
it selfe) shee secretly tooke 
order for the buying a new 

30 winding 



The Approbation. 



winding sheet : thus prepar- 
ingandconsecratingherselfe 
to him, who rested in a new 
Sepidcher wherein was neuer 
man yet layd. And about 
that time vndauntedly look- 
ing death in the face, priuat- 
ly in her Closet betweene 
God and her, shee wrote 
these pious Meditations ; 
whereof her selfe strangely 
speaketh to her owne bowels 
in this manner, It may seeme 
strange to thee to receiue these 
lines from a mother, that died 
when thoti wert borne. 

October 12. 1622. In 
Cambridge-shire shee was 
made a mother of a daughter, 

31 whom 



The Approbation. 



whom shortly after, being 
baptized and brought vnto 
her, shee blessed, and gaue 
God thankes that her selfe 
had liued to see it a Chris- 
tian : and then instantly 
called for her winding sheet 
to bee brought forth and 
laied vpon her. 

So hauing patiently borne 
for some nine daies a violent 
fever, and giuing a comfort- 
able testimony of her godly 
resolution, she ended her 
prayers, speech, and life to- 
gether, rendring her soule 
into the hand of her Re- 
deemer, and leauingbehinde 
her vnto the world a sweet 

32 perfume 



The Approbation. 



perfume of good name, and 
to her onely childe (besides 
a competent inheritance) 
this Manuell,being a deputed 
Mother for instruction, and 
for solace a twinne-like sis- 
ter, issuing from the same 
Parent, and seeing the light 
about the same time. 

Which composure be- 
cause it commeth forth im- 
perfect from the pen, doth 
the more expect to be sup- 
plied and made vp by prac- 
tise and execution. 



Sic approbauit 
Tho. Goad. 



33 



TO MY TRVLY 

louing, and most dearly 

loued Husband, 

Tourell locelin. 

1\/1 1 NE owne deare lone, 
-L*-L I no sooner concerned 
an hope, that I should bee 
made a mother by thee, but 
with it entred the considera- 
tion of a mothers duty, and 
sho7'tly after followed the ap- 
prehension of danger that 

35 might 





The Letter 




might preuent mee from exe- 
cuting that care I so exceed- 
ingly desired, I meane in reli- 
gious training our Childe. 
And in truth death appearing 
in this shape, was doubly 
terrible vnto mee. First, in 
respect of the painfulnesse of 
that kinde of death, and next 
of the losse my little one should 
haue in wanting mee. 

But I thank God, these 
feares were cured with the 
remembrance that all things 
work together for the best to 
those that loue God, and a 
certain assurance that he will 
give me patience according to 
my pain. 

36 Yet 



to her husband. 



Yet still I thought there 
was some good office I might 
do for my Childe more than 
onely to bring it forth {thd it 
should please God to take me) 
when I considered our frailty, 
our apt inclinations to sin, 
the Devil's subtility, and the 
world's deceitfulness ; against 
these how much desired I to 
admonish it? But still it 
came into my mind that death 
might depriue me of time, if I 
should neglect the present I 
knew not what to do; I 
thought of writing ; but then 
mine owne weakness appeared 
so manifestly, that I was 
ashamed and durst not tender- 

37 take 



The Letter 



take it. But when I could 
find no other means to ex- \ 
presse my motherly zeale I f 
encouraged my selfe with these 
reasons. 

First, that I zvrote to a 
Childe, and though I were 
but a woman, yet to a childes 
iudgement, what I voider- 
stood might serue for a foun- 
dation to a better learning. 

Againe, I considered it was 
to my owne, and in priuate 
sort, and my loue to my owne 
might excuse my ei^rours. 

And lastly, but chiefly, I 
comforted my selfe, that my 
intent was good, and that I 



3 8 was 



to her husband. 



was well assured God is the 
pros per er of good purposes. 

Thus resolued, I writ this 
ensuing Letter to ozir little 
one, to whom I coidd not 
finde a fitter hand to conuey 
it than thine owne, which 
maist with authority see the 
performance of this my little 
legacy, of which my Childe 
is Executor. 

And (deare loue) as thou 
must be the ouei'seer,for Gods 
sake, whe it shalfaile in duty 
to God, or to the world, let 
not thy i7idulgence winke at 
such folly, but seuerely correct 
it : and that thy trouble may 
bee little when it comes to 

39 yeeres, 





The Letter 




yeeres, take the more care 
when it is yo?mg. First, in 
prouiding it a nurse : make 
choise, not so much for her 
complexion, as for her milde 
and honest disposition. Like- 
zvise if the child be to remain 
long abroad after waining, as 
neere as may be, chuse a house 
where it may not learne to 
sweare, or speak scurrilous 
words. 

I know I may be thought 
too scrupulous in this : but I 
am sztre thou shalt finde it a | 
hard matter to breake a childe 
of that it learnes so young. 
It will be a great while, ere it 
will bee thought old enough to 

40 be 



to her husband. 



i 



be beaten for euill words, and 
by that time it will bee so per- 
fect in imperfections \ that 
blowes will not mend it. And 
when some charitable body 
reproues or corrects it for 
these faults, let no body pitty 
it with the losse of the mother. 
Next ; good sweet heart, 
keepe it not from schoole, but 
let it learne betimes : if it be 
a son, I doubt not but thou 
wilt dedicate it to the Lord 
as his Minister, if he wil 
please of his mercy to ghee 
him grace and capacity for 
that great work. If it be a 
datcghter, I hope my mother 
Brook (if thou desires t her) 

4 i will 





The Letter 1 




will take it among hers, & let 
them all learne one lesson. 

I desire her bringing vp 
may bee learning the Bible, 
as my sisters doe, good hous- 
wifery, writing, and good 
workes: other learning a 
woman needs not : thottgh I 
admire it in those whom God 
hath blest with discretion, yet 
I desired not much in my 
owne, hauing seene that some- 
times women haue greater 
portions of learning than wis- 
dome, which is of no better 
vse to them than a main saile 
to a flye-boat, which runs it 
vnder water. But where 
learning and wisdome meet 

42 in 



to her husband. 






in a vertuous disposed woman, 
she is the fittest closet for all 
goodnesse. She is like a 
well-ballanced ship that may 
beare all her saile. She is, 
Indeed, I should but shame 
my selfe, if I should goe about 
to praise her more. 

But, my deare, though she 
haue all this in her, she will 
hardly make a poore mans 
wife: Yet I leaue it to thy 
wilL If thou desirest a 
learned daughter, I pray God 
giue her a wise and religious 
heart, that she may vse it to 
his glory, thy comfort, and her 
owne saluation. 

But howsoeuer thou dis- 

43 posest 



The Letter 



posest of her education, I 
pray thee labour by allmeanes 
to teach her trice humility : 
though I much desire it may 
be as humble if it be a son as 
a daughter; yet in a daughter 
I more feare that vice ; Pride 
being now rather accounted a 
vertue in our sex worthy 
praise, than a vice fit for re- 
proofe. 

Many Parents reade lec- 
twes of it to theii r children 
how necessary it is, and they 
haue principles that must not 
be disputed against. As first, 
looke how mtich you esteeme 
your selfe, others wil esteeme 
of you. Agaiji, what you 

44 giue 



to her husband. 



giue to others, you delegate 
from your selfe. And many 
more of these kindes. I haue 
heard men accomited wise 
that haue maintained this 
kind of pride vnder the name 
of gejierous knowing or vnder- 
stajtding themselues. But I 
am sure that hee that truly 
knowes himself shall know so 
much euill by himselfe, that 
hee shall haue small reason to 
think himself e better than a7i- 
oiher man. 

Dearest, I am so feareful 
to bring thee a proud high 
minded childe, that, though I 
know thy care will need 710 
spur, yet I cannot but desire 

45 thee 



The Letter 

thee to double thy watchful- 
nesse ouer this vice, it is such 
a crafty insinuating deuill, it 
will enter little children in the 
likenesse of wit, with which 
their parents are delighted, 
and that is sweet noitrishment 
to it. 

I pray thee, deare heart, 
delight not to haue a bold 
childe : modesty & humilitie 
are the sweetest ground-works 
of all vertue. Let not thy 
seruants giue it any other 
title tha the Christen name, 
till it haue discretion to vnder- 
stand how to respect others. 

And I pi'ay thee be not 
profase in the expence of 

4 6 clothes 



to her husband. 



clothes vpon it. Mee thinkes 
it is a vaine delight in parents 
to bestow that cost vpon one 
childe which would seme two 
or three. If they haue not 
children enow of their owne 
to imploy so much cost vpon, 
Pauper vbique iacet. 

Thus, Deare, thou seest my 
beleefe, if thou canst teach thy 
little one humility, it must 
needs make thee a glad father. 

But I know thou wonder- 
est by this time what the cause 
should bee that we two con- 
tinually vnclaspi7ig ourhea7 r ts 
one to the other, I should re- 
serue this to writing. Whe 
thou thinkest thus, deare, re- 

47 member 



There 
wants not 
poore at 
euery 
doore. 



The Letter 

member how grieuous it was 
to thee but to heare mee say, 
I may die y and thou wilt con- 
fesse this would haue beene 
an vnpleasant discourse to 
thee, and thou knowest I 
neuer durst displease thee wil- 
lingly, so much I loue thee. 
All I now desire is, that the 
vnexpectednesse of it make it 
not more grietwus to thee. 
But I know thou art a Chris- 
tian, and therefore will not 
doubt of thy patience. 

And though I thus write to 
thee, as heartily desirmg to 
be religiously prepared to die, 
yet, my deare, I despaire not 
of life, nay, I hope and daily 

4 8 pray 



to her husband. 



pray for it, if so God will 
be pleased. 

Nor shall I thinke this 
labour lost, though I doe Hue : 
for I will make it my owne 
looking glasse wherein to see 
when I am too seuere, when 
too remisse, and in my childes 
fault through this glasse to 
discerne mine owne errors. 
And I hope God will so giue 
me his grace, that I shall 
more skilfully act than appi'e- 
hend a mothers duty. 

My deare, thou knowest me 
so well, I shall not need to 
tell thee I haue writte7t honest 
thoughts in a disordered 
fashion, not obseruing method. 



D 



49 



For 





The Letter 




For thou knowest how short 
I am of learning andnaturall 
indowments to take such a 
course in writing. Or if that 
strong affection of thine haue 
hid my zveaknesse from thy 
sight, 1 now prof esse seriously 
my owne ignorance: and 
though I did not, this follow- 
ing Treatise would bewray 
it : But I send it onely to the 
eies of a most lotting Hus- 
band, and of a childe exceed- 
ingly belotied, to whom I hope 
it wilnot be altogether vnpro- 
fi table. 

Thus humbly desiring God 
to giue thee all comfort in this 
life, and happinesse in the life 

50 to 



to her husband. 




to come, I leaue thee and thine 




to his most gracious protec- 




tion. 




Thine inuiolable, 




Eliza. Iocelin. 




51 





THE 

MO T H E R S 
L E G A C I E 

to her vnbonie 

Childe. 

HAuing long, often and 
earnestly desired of 
God, that I might be a 
mother to one of his children, 
and the time now drawing 
on, which I hope hee hath 
appointed to giue thee vnto 

53 mee : 



The Mothers 



mee : It drew me into a con- 
sideration both wherefore I 
so earnestly desired thee,and 
(hailing found that the true 
cause was to make thee 
happy) howl might compasse 
this happinesse for thee. 

I knew it consisted not in 
honour, wealth, strength of 
body or friends (though all 
these are great blessings) 
therfore it had beene a 
weake request to desire thee 
onely for an heire to my for- 
tune. No, I neuer aimed at 
so poore an inheritance for 
thee, as the whole world : 
Neither would I haue begged 
of God so much paine, as I 

54 know 



Legacie. 

know I must endure, to haue 
only possest thee with earth- 
ly riches, of which to day 
thou maist bee a great man, 
to morrow a poore begger. 
Nor did an hope to dandle 
thy infancy moue mee to 
desire thee. For I know 
all the delight a Parent can 
take in a childe is hony 
mingled with gall. 

But the true reason that 
I haue so often kneeled to 
God for thee, is, that thou 
mightest bee an inheritour 
of the Kingdome of Heaven. 
To which end I humbly be- 
seech Almightie God thou 
maist bend all thy actions, 

55 and 





The Mothers 




and (if it bee his blessed 
will) giue thee so plentifull 
a measure of his grace, that 
thou maist serue him as 
his Minister, if he make 
thee a man. 

It is true that this age 
holds it a most contemptible 
office, fit only for poore mens 
children, younger brothers, 
and such as haue no other 
means to Hue. But for Gods 
sake bee not discouraged 
with these vaine speeches ; 
but fortifie your selfe with 
remembring of how great 
worth the winning of one 
soule is in Gods sight, and 
you shal quickly finde how 

56 great 



Legacie. 

great a place it is to be a 
Priest vnto the liuing God. 
If it will please him to moue 
your heart with his holy 
Spirit, it will glow and burne 
with zeale to doe him seruice. 
The Lord open thy lips, 
that thy mouth may shew 
forth his praise. 

If I had skill to write, I 
would write all I apprehend 
of the happy estate of true 
labouring Ministers : but I 
may plainly say that of all 
men they by their calling are 
the most truly happy ; they 
are familiar with God, they 
labour in his Vineyard, and 
they are so beloued of him, 

57 that 



sa 



aoi 






that hee giues them abun- 
dance of knowledge. Oh bee 
one of them, let not the 
scorne of euill men hinder 
thee. Look how God hath 
prouided for thee sufficient 
means ; thou needest not 
hinder thy study to looke 
out for liuing, as the Israel- 
ites hindred their worke to 
looke for straw: If thou 
beest not content with this, 
thou wilt not be with more ; 
God deliuer thee from cou- 
etousnesse. 

I desire thee that though 
thou takest a spirituall call- 
ing, thou wilt not seeke after 
the liuings of the Church, 

58 nor 



Legacie. 

nor promotions, though I 
honour them as I haue great 
cause, but I would haue thee 
so truly an humble and zeal- 
ous Minister, that thy onely 
end should bee to doe God 
seruice, without desire of any 
thing to thy selfe, saue the 
Kingdome of Heauen. Yet 
as I would not haue thee 
seeke these things,soIwould 
haue thee as carefull not to 
neglect Gods blessings, but 
with all thankfulnesse to re- 
ceiue what heebestowes, and 
to bee a carefull steward, 
distributing it to those that 
haue need. 

I could not chuse but 
5 9 manifest 



The Mothers 



manifest this desire in wri- 
ting, lest it should please 
God to depriue me of time 
to speake. 

And if thou beest a daugh- 
ter, thou maist perhaps 
thinke I haue lost my labour ; 
but reade on, and thou shalt 
see my loue and care of thee 
and thy saluation is as great, 
as if thou wert a sonne, and 
my feare greater. 

It may peraduentu re when 
thou comest to some discre- 
tion, appeare strange to thee 
to receiue these lines from a 
Mother that died when thou 
wert borne ; but when thou 
seestmen purchase land, and 

60 store 



Legacie. 

store vp treasure for their 
vnborne babes, wonder not at 
mee that I am carefull for 
thy saluation, being such an 
eternall portion : and not 
knowing whether I shall Hue 
to instruct thee when thou 
art borne, let mee not bee 
blamed though I write to 
thee before. Who would not 
condemne mee if I should 
bee carelesse of thy body 
while it is within me ? Sure 
a farre greater care belongs 
to thy soule ; to both these 
cares I will endeuour my 
selfe so long as I Hue. 

Againe, I may perhaps bee 
wondred at for writing in 

61 this 



The Mothers 



this kinde, considering there 
are so manyexcellentbookes, 
whose least note is worth all 
my meditations. I confesse 
it, and thus excuse my selfe. 
I write not to the world, but 
to mine own childe, who it 
may be, will more profit by 
a few w r eake instructions 
comming from a deadmother 
(who cannot eueryday praise 
or reproue it as it deserues) 
than by farre better from 
much more learned. These 
things considered,neitherthe 
trueknowledge of mine owne 
weaknesse, nor the feare this 
may come to the worlds eie, 
and bring scorne vpon my 

62 graue, 



Legacie. 

graue, can stay my hand 
from expressing how much 
I covet thy saluation. 

Therefore deare childe, 
reade here my loue, and if 
God take mee from thee, be 
obedient to these instruc- 
tions, as thou oughtest to 
bee vnto mee. I haue learnt 
them out of Gods Word, I 
beseech him that they may 
be profitable to thee. 

(0 

The first charge I giue 
thee, I learned of Solomon, 
Eccles. 12. i. Remember thy 
Creator in the dayes of thy 

63 youth. 



The Mothers 



youth. It is an excellent 
beginning, and a fit lesson 
for a childe. Looke with 
what the Vessell is first sea- 
soned, it retaines the taste : 
and if thou beginnest to re- 
member to serue GOD when 
thou art young, before the 
world, the flesh, and the 
deuill take hold on thee, God 
will loue thee and send his 
holy Spirit to take posses- 
sion of thee, who shal resist 
those enemies, and not suf- 
fer them to hurt thee. 

To moue thy heart to re- 
member thyCreatorbetimes, 
meditate vpon the benefits 
thou continually receiuest: 

64 First, 



Legacie. 

First, how hee hath created 
thee when thouwere nothing, 
redeemed thee being worse 
than nought, and now of 
meere grace he hath giuen 
thee his holy Spirit, sancti- 
fying thee to an eternall 
Kingdome. Thou canst not 
possibly vnderstand how 
great these mercies are, but 
straight thy soule must cry, 
What shall I do for so gra- 
cious a God ? All the powers 
of my soule and bodie will 
I giue to his seruice, my 
first thoughts will I dedicate 
to him, like Abels sacrifice, 
I will present to him the 
first fruits of my youth ; In 
e 65 the 



The Mothers 



the strength of my age will 
I fall downe before him, and 
if I Hue to old age, that 
weaknesse will not let my 
knees bow, nor my hands 
bee lifted vp, yet shall my 
heart meditate on his good- 
nesse night and day, and my 
tono-ue shall be alwaies tell- 
ing of his maruellous works. 
When thou hast thus re- 
membered the infinite mer- 
cies of God, it behoues thee 
to settle thy selfe to a con- 
stant seruice of him, to order 
thy thoughts, words and ac- 
tions to his glory, and to 
couenant with thy selfe that 
thou wilt not breake thy 

66 promises 



Legacie. 



promises to God. That thou 
maist the more easily per- 
forme these duties, marke I 
j pray thee these following 
rules for ordering thy life, 
and God will blesse thee and 
all thy good endeuours. 

At thy first waking in the 
morning, be carefull of thy 
selfe, that thou harbor in thy 
braine no vaine cr vnprofit- 
able, but of all no vngodly 
fancy to hinder thy morning 
sacrifice, but straight frame 
thy selfe to meditate on the 
mercies of God, the mali- 

67 cious- 



The Mothers 



ciousnesse of the deuill, and 
thine owne weaknesse. 

Thine owne weaknesse is 
apparant to thee : for euen 
but now thine eyes were 
closed, thou couldst not see 
to defend thy selfe, thy 
strength was gone, so that 
thou wert not able to resist 
the weakest creature, a gnat 
or a flea might glut them- 
selves with thy bloud. 

The deuils malice is as 
easily perceiued, for euen 
now hee lies lurking ready 
to catch euery good motion 
from thy heart, suggesting 
things more delightfull to thy 
fancy, and perswading thee 

68 to 



Legacie. 



to deferre thyseruice of God 
though but for a little while. 
But be warned and armed 
against his tentations ; for 
bee assuredif thou onceyeeld 
to neglect praying to God, 
but one halfe houre, when 
that time comes thou shalt 
finde thy selfe farre more 
vnapt, and thy heart more 
dull to pray than before : 
whereas if thou disposestthy 
selfe to pray, though thou 
beest heauie and vncheerfull 
in it, yet God, who searches 
the heart, and sees thy desire 
to pray, though thou canst 
not, will enlighten thee and 
prepare thy heart against the 

6 9 next 



The Mothers 



next time, that thou shalt 
finde comfort. Therefore, 
take heed the Deuill deceiue 
you not, for you see his ma- 
lice is not small that seekes 
to cousen you of all happi- 
nesse present and to come : 
For be assured you can take 
no true ioy in earthly plea- 
sures, no longer than you 
seeke after heauenly. 

Hauing thus discerned the 
infinite malice of the Deuill, 
and your owne exceeding 
weaknesse, how doe you 
thinke you were preserued 
from his snares while you 
slept? or doe you thinke hee 
onely besets you when you 

70 are 



Legacie. 

are awake ? No, be not de- 
cerned, hee is not so faire an 
enemy : his hate is such to 
you, that if hee could hee 
would teare your body and 
drag your soule to hell while 
you slept. Alas, all this 
hee might haue done, your 
strength was small to resist 
him. Now you must needs 
confesse who it is that is 
only able to preserue you, 
that it is God, and that it is 
his mercy, not your desert, 
that you are preserued: and 
gather to your selfe a strong 
resolution w T ith all your force 
to serue him all the day, and 
to resist all the tentations of 
the deuill. 7I Then 



The Mothers 



Then being thorowly 
awake (for sure God likes 
not sleeping prayer) begin to 
giue God thankes, and to 
desire the continuance of his 
mercy towards thee in these 
words, till thou canst finde 
such as may better expresse 
thine owne soule. 

" O eternall God, gracious 
' from the beginning, and 
' mercifull to the latter end- 
i ing of the world, I giue 
' thee humble thankes, that 
'according to thine abundant 
'goodnesse, thou hast gra- 
' ciously defended me this 
( night from all dangers that 
' might haue happened vnto 



72 



<< 



mee. 




Legacie. 



mee. I beseech thee con- 
tinue this thy fauourable 
goodnesse toward mee,and 
so grant me thy grace, that 
in all my thoughts, words, 
and actions I may seeke 
thy glory, and euermore so 
Hue in thy feare, that I 
may die in thy fauour, for 
thy Sonne my onely Saui- 
ours sake. Amen" 

(3) 



Hauino- thus inuited God 
into your soule, take heed 
you offend not against so 
great and glorious a guest : 
Thinke if thou seest a supe- 

73 Hour 



riour entertained with such 
obseruance of the Master, 
such diligenceinthe seruants, 
such a generall care that all 
things may giue a testimony 
of his welcome, O thinke, 
sinfull soule, what care 
oughtest thou to haue when 
the liuing God vouchsafes to 
dwell in thee : Oh watch, 
Oh be wary. Doe not (my 
deareChilde) Oh,not wilfully 
offend him, for hardly are 
presumptuous sinnes for- 
giuen : but if out of weak- 
nesse thou offend against 
him, runne straight before 
hee can be gone, for hee is 
mercifull, and will stay a 

74 while 



Legacie. 

while after thou hast sinned 
to expect thy repentance : 
but if thou doest not make 
haste, then the deuill, who 
will not delay to seeke thy 
destruction, hee w r ill accuse 
thee, mocking thy impietie, 
and God will leaue thee, 
being more offended at thy 
neglect, or rather contempt 
of his mercy, than at thy 
first offence. 

Therefore runne quickly, 
esteeme no sin small, but 
what member soeuer caused 
thee to offend him, bring it 
before him, and let it assist 
thee chieflyin thyrepentance. 
If thine eye teach thee wan- 

75 tonnesse, 



The Mothers 



tonnesse, couetousnesse, or 
the like, let them powre forth 
teares to purchase thee a 
pardon. If thy tongue haue 
offended toward God or thy 
neighbour, bring it with 
shame and sorrow to con- 
fesse in priuate, what it was 
not ashamed to glory of in 
publike. Learne to bee 
ashamed to commit sinne, 
but, being committed, hope 
not to hide it from God by 
any other meanes, than by 
hearty repentance : so indeed 
thou maist winne his mercy 
to couer thy transgression, 
and in his Sonnes passion 
hee will bury thine offences 

76 so 



Legacie. 

so as he will hide them from 
himselfe: but then thou must 
delay no time, goe quickly, 
get thee alone, weare thy 
knees, wring thy hands, beate 
thy breast, know as little 
measure in thy sorrow as 
thou didst in thy sinne. The 
Lord will not despise a con- 
trite heart, and though hee 
let thee kneele long, hee will 
haue mercy at the last. 
Learne of Jacob to wrestle 
with God, and to cry with a 
feruent spirit, I will not let 
thee goe vnlesse thou blesse 
me. Our Sauiour saith, The 
Kinordome of Heauen suffer- 
eth violence, and the violent 
take it by force. 77 



The Mothers 



(4) 

Thus you see, it must be 
an eager, not a slothfull 
course, that must bring you 
toHeauen. Take heed there- 
fore that you auoid ail the 
kinds of this sinne. What- 
soeuer you goe about, doe 
it with chearefulnesse. Be 
ashamed of idienesse, as thou 
art a man, but tremble at it, 
as thou art a Christian. For 
bee sure the deuil neuer is so 
happy in his tentations, as 
when hee emploies them on 
a slothfull man who cannot 
endure to take so much 
paines as to resist him. 

78 Solomon. 



Legacie. 

Solomon promises no other 
patrimony to a sluggard but 
pouerty. GOD hates the 
slouthfull. Witnesse the hue 
foolish Virgins, and the vn- 
profitable seruant, Math, 25. 
The one Christ would not 
know ; the other is branded 
with two shamefull markes, 
euill and slothfull, and his 
talent taken from him. What 
more wretched estate can 
there be in the world ? first 
to bee hated of God as an 
idle Drone, not fit for his 
seruice : then through ex- 
treme pouerty to bee con- 
temned of all the world. 
Oh then at no hand yeeld 

79 thy 




The Mothers 



thy youth to sloth, but so 
soone as thou hast made thy 
prayer to God, prepare to 
rise, and rising vse this 
Prayer. 

" In thy name, Oh blessed 
' Sauiour, I arise, who with 
1 the Father, and the holy 
'Spirit, created mee, and 
■ with thine owne most pre- 
' cious bloud hast redeemed 
' me. I beseech thee this 
1 day, to gouerne, keepe, and 
* blesse mee : leade me forth 
' in euery good way, therein 
' direct and confirme mee, 
'and after this fraile and 
' miserable life, bring mee 
' to that blessed life which 

8o hath 






Legacie. 

" hath no end, for thy great 
"merit and mercies sake. 
Amen." 



(5) 

Thou art no sooner broke 
out of the armes of sloth, but 
pride steps in diligently, 
waiting to furnish thee with 
any vaine toy in thy attire. 
And though I belieue there 
are diuers sorts of pride 
more pestilent to the soule 
than this of apparell, yet this 
is enough dangerous, and I 
am sure betraies a mans folly 
more than any other. Is it 
not a monstrous thing- to see 
a man, whom God hath 
F 81 created 




The Mothers 



created of an excellentforme, 
each part answering the due 
proportion of another,should 
by a fantastical! habit make 
himselfe so vgly, that one 
cannot finde amongst all 
Gods creatures any thing 
like him ? One man, though 
not resembling another in 
shape or face, yet for his 
rationall soule is like another: 
but these fashionists have (I 
feare) changed their.reason- 
able soules for proud soules 
without reason : could they 
elsedeforme and transforme 
themselues by these new 
fangled fashions, and apish 
behauiour ; crindging, shrug- 

-82 ging, 



Legacie. 

ging, starting, and playing 
the fantastiques euery way. 
So that they may truly say 
when they are fashionable, 
that they are not like other 
men : and I beleeue wise 
men will not be sorry for it. 
For who would be like them ? 
I desire thee for Gods sake 
shunne this vanitie, whether 
thou bee sonne or daughter. 
If a daughter, I confesse thy 
taske is harder because thou 
art weaker, and thy tempta- 
tions to this vice greater, for 
thoushaltseethosewhomper- 
haps thou shalt thinke lesse 
able, exalted farre above thee 
in this kinde, and it may bee 

s 3 thou 




thou wilt desire to be like 
them, if not to out-goe them. 
But beleeue and remember 
that I tell thee, the end of 
all these vanities is bitter as 
gall. 

Oh the remembrance of 
mis-spent time, when thou 
shalt grow in yeares, and 
haue attainedno other know- 
ledge, than to dresse thy 
selfe. When thou shalt see 
halfe, perhaps all, thy time 
spent, and that of all thou 
hast sowed thouhastnothing 
to reape but repentance,late 
repentance, how wilt thou 
grieue ? How wilt thou 
accuse one folly for bringing 



8 4 



in 



Legacie. 

in another ? and in thy me- 
mory cast ouer the cause of 
each misfortune which hath 
befallen thee, till passingfrom 
one to another, at last thou 
findest thy corrupt will to 
bee the first cause, and then 
thou wilt with griefe enough 
perceive, that if thou hadst 
serued God when thou ser- 
uedst thy fond desires, thou 
hadst now had peace of heart. 
The God of mercie giue thee 
grace to remember him in the 
dayes of thy youth. 

Mistake me not, nor giue 
your selfe leaue to take too 
much liberty with saying, 
My mother was too strict. 

85 No, 




No, I am not, for I giue you 
leaue to follow modest fa- 
shions, but not to be a be- 
ginner of fashions: norwould 
I haue you follow it till it 
bee generall ; so that in not 
doing as others doe, you 
might appeare more singular 
than wise ; but in one word, 
this is all I desire, that you 
will not set your heart on 
such fooleries, and you shall 
see that this modest carriage 
will win you reputation and 
loue with the wise and ver- 
tuous sort. 

And once againe, remem- 
ber how many houres maist 
thougiuetoGod,whichifthou 

86 spendest 



Oct 



Legacie. 

spendest in these vanities, 
thou shalt neuer bee able to 
make account of. If thou 
dost but endeuour to doe 
well, God will accept the will 
for the deed ; but if thou 
wilfully spend the morning 
of thy time in these vanities, 
God will not bee put off with 
such reckonings, but punish- 
ments will follow, such as I 
pray God thou maist not pull 
vpon thee. 

Yet alas, this is but one 
sort of pride, and so farre 
from being accounted a vice, 
that, if the time mends not 
before you come to vnder- 
standing, you will heare a 

87 well 




well drest woman, (for that 
is the stile of honour) more 
commended than a wise or 
honest, or religious woman. 
And it may bee, this may 
moue you to follow their 
idlenes : but when you haue 
any such desire, draw your 
selfe to consider whatmanner 
of persons the commended 
and commenders are, and 
you shall finde them all of 
one batch, such as being 
vaine themselues, applaud it 
in others. 

But if you will desire 
praise, follow the example of 
thosereligious women, whose 
vertuous fames time hath 

88 not 




Leo'acie. 



not power to raze out; as 
deuout Anna, who serued 
the Lord with fasting- and 
prayer, Luke 2. lust Eliza- 
beth, who serued God without 
reproofe : Religious Ester, 
who taught her Maids to fast 
and pray, Est. 4. 1 5. and the 
chaste Susanna, whose story, 
I hope, the strictest will allow 
for a worthy example. 

I am so fearefull that 
thoa shouldst fall into this 
sinne, that I could spend my 
little time of life in exhort- 
ing thee from it. I know it 
is the most dangerous sub- 
till sinne that can steale the 
heart of man, it will alter 

89 shapes 




! aar- 



UUUL. H U 



The Mothers 



shapes as oft as the Came- 
lion doth colours, it will fit 
it selfe to all dispositions, 
and (which is most strange) 
it will so disguise it selfe, 
that hee must be cunning 
who discernes it from humi- 
litie, nay it may lie in thine 
owne heart, and if thoubeest 
not a diligent searcher of thy 
selfe, thou shalt not know 
it: but if thou watch well 
thou shalt take it, for it hath 
one property that cannot 
change, as the common peo- 
ple beleeue the Deuill cannot 
alter the shape of one foot. 
It is true of pride, that 
though it bee changed into 

90 that 



j 



Legacie. 

that Angell of light, Humil- 
ity, yet thou maist know it 
by selfe-loue ; if thou findest 
that within thee, bee sure 
pride is not farre off. For 
humility will make thee 
seeme vile in thine owne 
eyes, it will make thee see 
thine owne faults, and con- 
fesse them to bee greater 
than other mens, so that thou 
wilt respect euery man aboue 
thy selfe. But the rules of 
selfe-conceit are iust con- 
trary, they stand on tiptoes, 
reckning their vertues like 
the proud Pharisie, scorning 
to be like other men. 

Shunne it for thy soules 
9 1 sake, 



'IT* TifflME^^ai 



The Mothers 



sake, for if thou entertaine 
it, it is such a shamelesse 
flatterer, that it will make 
thee beleeue thouart greater, 
wiser, learneder than all the 
company, when indeed, thou 
wilt proue thy selfe the 
greatest fooleof them, weary 
ing them all with thy vaine 
talke. 

Solomon saith, Pride goeth 



before destruction, Prott. 16. 
1 8. And a high minde 
before the fall. And our 
blessed Sauiour, the true 
patterne of humility, exhorts 
vs to learne of hint that was 
lowly and meeke in heart, 
Mat. ii. 29. And if we doe 

92 so, 



Legacie. 

so, he promises we shall find 
rest vnto our soules. Neither 
want there curses, threat- 
ning, where perswasions will 
I not serue. Whosoeuer ex- 
alteth himselfe shall bee 
humbled, Luke 14. 11. 
Reade the holy Scriptures 
often and diligently,and thou 
shalt finde continuall threat- 
nings against pride, punish- 
ment of pride, and warnings 
from pride. Thou shalt finde 
no sinne so heauily punished 
as this : it made Deuils of 
Angels, a beast of great 
JVabuckodonezzar^&ogs meat 
of Iezabel, and I will con- 
clude with a good mans 

93 saying, 



The Mothers 



saying, If all the sinnes 
reigning in the world were 
burnt to ashes, euen the 
ashes of pride would be able 
to reduce them all againe. 

I know in fewer words 
there might much morehaue 
beenesaid against this sinne, 
but I know not who will say 
so much to thee when I am 
gone. Therefore I desire 
thou maist bee taught these 
my instructions when thou 
art young, that this foule 
sinne may bee weeded out 
before it take deepe root in 
thy heart. I will returne 
now to my first purpose, 
which is to set thee downe 



94 



one 



Legacie. 

one day for a patterne, how 
I would haue thee spend all 
the dayes of thy life. 



(6) 

Therefore auoiding all 
manner of pride, make thy 
selfe decently ready, which 
being done, retire to a place 
alone, where humbling thy 
selfe vpon thy knees, againe 
renew thy prayers, humbly 
confessing, and earnestly de- 
siring forgiuenesse for all thy 
sinnes,andvseDoctor6V^zVAr 
morning prayer, than which 
I know not a better, nor euer 
did I finde more comfort in 
any. 95 In 



The Mothers 



In aduising you to a set 
forme of prayer, I doe not 
prohibit concerned Prayer, 
but humbly beg of God to 
giue you grace to pray often 
out ofyourowne meditations 
according to his will. 

But when it shall please 
God to call you to the charge 
of a family, I will not direct, 
but deliuer my opinion, that 
then a set forme of prayer is 
most necessary : my reason 
is, that your seruants being 
vsed to it, are alwayes ready 
to goe along with you in 
their hearts word for word, 
as you pray, and continuance 
makes them to vnderstand 

96 euery 



Legacie. 

euery word, which must 
needs cause greater deuo- 
tion, and giue more life to 
the prayers. 

(?) 

When you haue finished 
your priuate prayer, be sure 
that you absent not your- 
selfe from publike prayer, if 
it bee vsed in the house 
where you hue: which ended, 
goe and vse any lawfull re- 
creation, either for thy profit 
or pleasure, and from all 
theseexercises reseruea time 
to sit downe to some good 
study, but vse that most that 
g 97 may 



The Mothers 



may make thee greatest, 
Diuinitie. It will make thee 
greater, richer, happier than 
the greatest Kingdome of the 
earth, though thou couldst 
possesse it. If any man 
serue me, saith Christ, him 
will my Father honour ; If 
Mordecay were thought so 
highly honoured by Ahasue- 
rus for a little gay trapping, 
what shall be done to him 
whom God will honour? 

Therefore if thou desirest 
honour, serue the Lord, and 
thou art sure of it. If riches 
bee thy aime, Saint Paul as- 
sures thee, that Godlinesse 
is great gaine. If thou couet 

98 pleasure, 



Legacie. 

pleasure, set Dauids delight 
before thine eyes, I haue had 
more delight in thy testimonies 
than in all manner of riches, 
Psal 119. And in the 92. 
Psalme hee saith, Thou Lord 
hast made mee glad by thy 
workes. In the 4. Psalme, 
Thou hast giuen mee more toy 
of heart, &c. and reading the 
91. Psalme, thou shalt see 
what manner of blessings 
they are that God makes his 
children merry withall. And 
when thou hast once fixt thy 
heart to this study, it will 
bee so sweet, that the more 
thou learnest, the more thou 
wilt desire, and the more 

99 thou 




thou desirest, the more God 
will loue thee. Thou wilt 
study so well in priuate, and 
practise it in all thy actions 
publikely, thou wilt w T eigh 
thy thoughts so euen, that 
thy words shall not bee light, 
and a few lines I will vse to 
perswade thee to bee aduised 
in thy words. 



■ (3) 

Though it is as much to 
say, Remember thy Creator 
when thou speakest, as if I 
could vseall the exhortations, 
and tell thee all the perils 
that belong to speech, yet so 

ioo apt 



Legacie. 

apt are wee to forget God in 
our foolish talke, that some- 
times wee by our discourse 
would make Gods of our 
selues. Therefore it will not 
bee amisse to receiue a few 
instructions, though weake, 
from mee for ordering thy 
speech. The morning I haue 
dedicated to meditation, 
praier, good studies, and 
honest recreation.The noone 
time is most vsed for dis- 
course, it being all a man 
can doe while hee eats, and 
it is a time wherein a man 
ought to bee carefull of his 
speech, hauing before him 
Gods good blessings to re- 

ioi fresh 



The Mothers 



fresh his body, and honest 
company to recreate his 
minde, and therefore ought 
to bee no way offensiue in 
his speech either to God or 
good men. But most espe- 
cially take heed that neither 
heedlessnesse nor earnest- 
nesse in thy discourse, cause 
thee to take Gods holy Name 
in vaine, but alwaies speake 
of him with reuerence and 
vnderstanding. 

Next,let not thy neighbour 
suffer in thy speech, but bee 
rather silent than speake ill 
of any man, though hee de- 
serue it. And that thou 
maist doe thus, obserue this 

I0 2 rule ; 



Legacie. 

rule ; whensoeuer thou hear- 
est one ill spoken of, before 
thou second it, examine thine 
owne heart, and it is ods but 
thou maist finde in thy selfe 
either the same fault, or a 
worse than that hee is accus- 
ed for. So thou shalt bee 
forced either to mend thy 
selfe, or not to condemne 
him. 

Also shunne multiplicity 
of words, and what thou 
speakest, bee sure to vnder- 
stand fully, for it is a grating 
to the eare to heare a man 
talke at randome. If thou 
desirest to better thy selfe, 
modestly aske a question of 

103 those 




those whom thou seest to 
haue knowledge to resolue 
thee, and bee lesse ashamed 
to confesse thy ignorance, 
than by holding a foolish 
argument, to betray it. And 
euer auoid that scornfull 
fashion of questioningaman, 
who, thou knowest, cannot 
make thee a satisfying an- 
swer: neither make a scorne 
of his ignorance, for bee as- 
sured,heeknowes something 
that thou dost not know. 

If God haue giuen thee a 
ready wit, take heed thou 
abuse it not. At no time 
maintainearooiments against 
the truth, especially in sacred 

104 or 



or morall matter: for it is 
hard to doe it, without of- 
fending the God of truth ; 
and by it thou maist harme 
thy weake brother, but the 
greatest harme will be thine 
owne when thou commest to 
giue account for thy idle 
words. 

In thy mirth shun such 
iesting as may make thee 
offensive, scoffing becomes 
not a Christian. Prise not 
therefore the froth of an idle 
wit, before the faith of a 
vertuous friend. 

And I pray thee, as thou 
wouldest haue blessingsmul- 
tiplied vpon thee, let no 

105 speech 




speech passe from thee that 
may grieue chaste eares. 
How hatefull is obscene 
speech in rude people ? But 
it makes one of gentle birth 
odious to all honestcompany. 
Solomon saies, A wise man 
conceales knowledge, hx&the 
heart of a foole publisheth 
foolishnesse,Prou. 12.23. anc ^ 
hee that keepeth his mouth, 
keepeth his life, 13. 3. and 
in the 14. 5. The lips of the 
wise presence them. 

To conclude, letthytongue 
and thy heart goe together, 
hate dissimulation and lying, 
and God will loue thee, 
which I humbly beg of him. 

106 (9) 



Legacie. 






(9) 

If thou keepe thy thoughts 
holy, and thy words pure, I 
shall not need to feare, but 
all thy actions will be honest. 
But my feare thou shouldest 
know the way, and yet goe 
aside, will not suffer my 
counsell to leaue thee alone, 
till thou come to thy iournies 
end. 

First then bee carefull 
when thou art alone, that 
thou doe nothing that thou 
wouldest not doe if men saw 
thee : remember that Gods 
eye is alwayes open, and 
thine owne conscience will 

107 bee 



The Mothers 



bee witnesse enough against 
thee. 

Next bee sure that no ac- 
tion of thine may bee a 
scandall to thy profession, I 
meane to the profession of 
the true Religion. This in- 
deed is as much as to say to 
thee, Eschew euill. For 
there is not the least sinne 
thou canst doe, but the ene- 
mies of truth will bee glad 
to say, Loe, this is one of 
them that professes God in 
his mouth, but see what his 
life is. Therefore a great 
care ought a Christian to 
haue, especially those whom 
God hath set as lights in his 
Church. 108 What- 



Legacie. 

Whatsoeuerthouart about 
to doe, examine it by Gods 
Commandements : if it bee 
agreeable to them, goe on 
cheerefully, and though the 
end answer not thy hopes, 
neuer grieue nor grudge, but 
bee glad that Gods will is 
performed, and let thy trust 
in him assure thee, that all 
things worke together for 
the best to them that loue 
GOD. And though it ap- 
peare a crosse, be assured it 
is a blessing. Therefore 
make right vse of it; exa- 
mine thy selfe what sinne 
thou hast committed that 
may challenge that punish- 

io 9 ment 



The Mothers 



ment, repent of it, and re- 
concile God vnto thee, bear- 
ing thy Crosse with patience, 
and doubt not hee that de- 
priued thee of thy hope to 
try thee, will (if thou beare 
it well) giue thee as great or 
a greater blessing than thou 
hopest for. But if thou 
shalt finde that thy attempts 
will not endure that triall, 
breake from them, and tell 
the Deuill in plaine termes 
thou hast a light to discerne 
his snares by, and therefore 
scornest to be his slaue. 
For beleeue mee, my childe, 
if thou shalt out of any 
worldly respect doe a dis- 
honest 



no 



Legacie. 

honest act, it may bee thou 
maist thriue in it a while, 
but the end is miserable. 
Oh the burthen of a woun- 
ded conscience who can 
beare ? 

If thou seest others thriue 
& grow great in such cou rses, 
reade the 73. Psalme ; there 
thou shaltseeZ^z/z^himselfe 
confesses his foot had wel- 
nigh slipt when hee saw the 
prosperity of the wicked : 
Hee describes all their feli- 
cities, but at the last when 
hee went into the Sanctuary, 
hee found what their end 
was, how they were set in 
slippery places, &c. and then 

in hee 



The Mothers 



hee cryes, Whom haue I in 
Heauen but thee? And I 
haue desired none in the earth 
with thee, Alas, all their 
labour is but to build a paper 
house vpon the sand, which 
though it bee neuer so glori- 
ous to looke vpon, a small 
tempest will shatter it. 
When if thou lay the foun- 
dation of thy happinesse vp- 
on Christ the rocke of thy 
saluation, and build it with 
zealous seruice of him ac- 
cording to truth, then though 
the flouds beat against it, 
and huge tempests threaten 
it, thou needest not feare, for 
thy wals will stand fast, and 

112 thy 



Legacie. 

thy foundations will secure 
thee. 

It were enough to per- 
swade any man to bee honest 
if hee would consider the day 
of affliction, and store vp the 
comfort of a quiet conscience 
against it came : for onely 
that discernes the patient 
lob from despairing Caine. 
Cai7ie hideously cryes out, 
his punishment is greater 
than hee can beare. lob 
sighs forth, Loe though hee 
slay mee, yet will I trust in 
him. Indeed, till affliction 
comes, the worser sort of 
men appeare to be the hap- 
piest, but then the chaffe is 
h 113 soone 



The Mothers 



soone knowne from the 
wheate : the good man 
knowes his crosse is good 
for him, beares it patiently, 
and casts his care on Christ, 
his heart knowes no repining, 
nor his tongue other com- 
plaining, but Shall I receiue 
good from God, andnoteuill? 
On the contrary, when 
affliction falsvpon those who 
haue laid their foundation on 
the sand, alas, they haue no 
comfort, they are either 
ashamed or besotted, they 
cannot finde God, nay they 
will not seeke him : but in 
stead of seeking counsell 
from him, they are not 

ii 4 ashamed 



Legacie. 

ashamed (with forsaken 

Saul) to implore the Deuill. 

What doe they lesse that 

seeke after Witches for lost 

goods, cure for themselues, 

their children, or cattell? I 

hope there are but few of 

these: but I know where God 

is once forsaken, man is apt to 

fall into the depth of sinne. 

It is grace, meere grace, that 

preseruesGodschildrenfrom 

thesedangerous fals,of which 

grace, I beseech Almighty 

God make vs all partakers. 

And to conclude, how I 

would haue thee square thine 

actions, whatsoeuer thou 

doest, remember that thou 

us art 

P 



iiMXMim: rwu.ua.±jusjtM 



The Mothers 



art in the presence of God, 
(who will expect an account 
from thee) so thou wilt not 
dare to doe euill, and thou 
wilt doe well cheerefully, 
because thou art sure it 
pleases the Lord, who sees 
thy willingnesse, and will 
not leaue thee vnrewarded. 
The vices most reigning 
in these times I must parti- 
cularly aduise thee to shun : 
first, swearing. For Gods 
sake,letyour communication 
be yea, yea, and nay, nay, 
for what is more (saith 
Christ) commeth of euill. 
Keepe not company with a 
swearer, lest custome make 

n6 the 



e 



Legacie. 

thee forget how great the 
sin is, and so by little and 
little thou maist get thy selfe 
a habit of it. Reproue it in 
thy friend, if hee will brooke 
reproofe : but it is to no end 
to reproue a scorner : Re- 
buke not a scorner lest hee 
hate thee, but rebuke a wise 
man, and he will loue thee, 
Prou. 9. 8. 

Alwaies keepe a watch 
before thine owne lips, and 
remember that thou needest 
not sweare if thou doest not 
accustome thy selfe to lie. 
For if thou vsest to tell 
truths, thy word will be as 
currant as thy oath. I hope 

117 thy 



The Mothers 



thy calling (if God hath 
made thee a man) will be of 
authority to reproue this vice 
in others, and not to delight 
in it thy selfe. If thou beest 
a Daughter, remember thou 
art a Maid, and such ought 
thy modesty to bee, that thou 
shouldest scarce speak, but 
when thou answerest: thou 
art young, speake if need 
bee, and yet scarcely when 
thou art twice asked, Eccles. 
32. 8. Whatsoeuer thou 
bee, thou hast a calling, 
which thou must not dishon- 
our: thou art a Christian, 
and Christ commands thou 
shalt not sweare at all, Mat. 
5. 34. 118 The 



I 



Legacie. 

The next vice too too 
common in this age is 
Drunkennesse, which is the 
high way to hell : a man 
may trauell in it from sinne 
to sinne, till the Deuill shew 
him hee can goe no further, 
as a Traueller from Inne to 
Inne, till hee come to his 
, iourneyes end. Oh thinke 
how filthy is that sinne that 
makes a man a beast all his 
life, and a Deuill at his 
death. Solomon askes, To 
whom is woe ? to whom is 
sorrow ? to whom is strife ? 
to whom is murmuring- ? to 
whom are wounds without 
cause ? and to whom is red- 

u 9 nesse 




The Mothers 



nesse of the eies ? And in 
the next verse answers, Euen 
to them that tarry long at 
the Wine ; and to the end 
of the Chapter, sets forth the 
miseries occasioned by this 
vice, Prou. 23. 

That thou maist auoid 
this sinne, be carefull in the 
choise of thy friends, for it 
is they that will betray thee 
to this sinne. Neuer make 
choise of a Drunkard to thy 
companion, much lesse thy 
friend. For our Kingdome 
hath of late afforded more 
examples of those who haue 
beene slaine by their friends 
in a drunken quarrell, than 

120 thos< 







Legacie. 

those that haue fallen by the 
enemies sword:- and how 
unfit is hee to bee a friend, 
that when thou shalt haue 
need of his counsell, will 
haue his head, in stead of 
wisdome, fild with wine, and 
adde rather griefe than com- 
fort to thy necessities ? And 
againe, what secret thou 
shalt trust him with, thou 
maistbeesure shall be vomit- 
ed forth, and all thy comfort 
must bee, He did it vnwill- 
ingly, when hee knew not 
what hee did. Thus thou 
seest, to bee a Drunkard, is 
to bee a man vnfit for Gods 
seruice, or good mens com- 

I2 i pany. 




pany. I beseech God giue 
thee grace to detest it. 

Next, I must exhort thee 
from a sinne, that I cannot 
name, thou must search thine 
owne heart for it. It is thy 
darling sin, that which to 
enioy, thou couldst resist all 
others, at least thou thinkest 
so. But doe not harbour it, 
search diligently for it in 
thine owne nature, and when 
thou hast found it, cast it 
headlong from thee. It is 
thy soules subtill betraier, 
and all thyother sins depend 
vpon it. There is not so 
much danger in all the rest 
that thou contendest with, as 



122 



in 



Legacie. 




in this one, that thou art 
loth to call a sinne. Thy 
other sinnes are like a rebel- 
lious multitude in a common 
wealth, which wanting a 
head, doe little harme. This 
is their head, cut it off, and 
thou shalt see all thy other 
sins dispersed, as an army of 
fearefull Rebels, when they 
heare their great leaders 
head hath kist the blocke. 

(IO) 

When thou hast spent the 
day in religious and honest 
exercises, in the euening re- 
turne againe to some good 

12^ meditation 







The Mothers 



meditation or study, which 
conclude with prayer, com- 
mending thy selfe to God, 
and so shalt thou ioyfully 
goe to thy supper ; which 
done, and the time of rest 
come, as thou begannest in 
the morning, so shut vp the 
day with humble thanks- 
giuing for all the benefits 
that day receiued, hearty 
repentance for all thy sinnes 
committed, naming and be- 
wailing them. For thou 
knowestnotif thourepentest 
not to night, whether thou 
shalt Hue to repent to mor- 
row. And thoup-h thouwert 
sure of it, yet the oftner 

thou 



124 



R*a 



Legacie. 

thou makest euen thy ac- 
counts with God, thy sleepes 
will bee the sounder, and 
thou shalt awake with a 
heart full of ioy, and ready 
to serue the Lord. 

Last, commit thy selfe, 
and all that is thine, to God 
in zealous prayer, vsing Doc- 
tor Smiths eueningprayer, as 
his morning ; both which 
though they be for a family, 
yet are they easily reduced 
to a priuate mans prayer. 
So going to bed, take thy 
rest, beginning and ending 
in him who is both first and 
last. Thus spend the six 
dayes thou hast to labour in, 

125 that 



The Mothers 



that thou maist bee ready to 
celebrate the Sabbath, to 
which there belongs another 
Remember. 



(") 



Remember that thou keepe 
holy the Sabbath day. This 
duty so often and earnestly 
commanded by GOD him- 
selfe in the old Testament, 
so confirmed to vs in the 
new, by the Resurrection 
of our Sauiour, in memory 
whereof it is called the Lords 
day, and perpetually cele- 
brated by the Church, yet in 
these dayes.as if wee neither 

126 had 



2ta 



Legacie. 

had part in the creation, nor 
redemption of the world, too 
many keepe no Sabbath, or 
at the most but a shadow of 
a Sabbath. Where almost 
can we finde one that will 
lose a good bargaine rather 
than make it on the Lords 
day? Or that will bridle 
his owne desires to sanctifie 
that day? 

Seeing therefore this dan- 
ger, in which thou maist 
easily bee entrapped by the 
Deuilssubtilty, and following 
the multitude ; I cannot but 
with all my power exhort 
thee, carefully to keepe the 
Sabbath, to which end I 

127 pray 






CTiMvmjcammin 



The Mothers 



pray thee marke well the 
fourth commaundement, Re- 
member that thou keepe holy 
the Sabbath day, six dayes 
shall thou labour, and doe all 
that thou hast to doe, but the 
seuenth is the Sabbath of the 
Lord thy God, in it thou shall 
doe no manner of worke, thou, 
nor thy Sonne, 7ior thy daugh- 
ter, thy man seruant, nor thy 
maid-seruant, nor thy cattle 
that is within thy gates : For 
in six dayes the Lord made 
Heauen and Earth, the Sea, 
and all that is therein, and 
rested the seuenth day, where- 
fore the Lo7 r d blessed the 
seuenth day and hallowed it. 

128 If 



Legacie. 

If thou wilt bee won to 
the due observation of this 
day as an obedient seruant, 
see God commands, Remem- 
ber that thou keepe holy the 
Sabbath day. If as a louing 
and dutifull sonne, see how 
God perswades thee, by 
equity, grounded vpon his 
owne bounty to thee : Hee 
hath giuen thee six dayes to 
doe thine owne workes, and 
hee requires but one of thee. 
What canst thou say for thy 
selfe, why thou shouldest not 
wholly that day giue thy 
selfe to his seruice ? Lastly, 
if thou wilt learne how to 
serue him as a good Scholler, 
I 129 he 



The Mothers 



he teaches thee an admirable 
way, both by rule and- ex- 
ample. First, by rule, Thou 
shalt doe no manner of worke 
in it : then by example, Hee 
made the whole world in six 
dayes, and hee rested the 
seuenth,w T herefore heebless- 
ed it. 

SeeingGodthuscommands 
thee by his power, pers wades 
theeinhis mercy, andteaches 
thee both by rule, and his 
owne most gratious example, 
how canst thou bee so deuoid 
ofgrace,nayof reason, as not 
to obey so iusta Master ? so I 
mercifull a Father ? so gra- 
cious a Teacher? If thou 

make 



130 




Legacie. 

make not a conscience of 
keeping this day, howsoeuer 
a dull security may possesse 
thee to flatter thy selfe, thou 
indeed makest conscience of 
nothing. For I am per- 
swaded, if thou canst dis- 
pence with thy selfe to pro- 
phane this day, eiriier for thy 
profit or pleasure, thou wilt 
not sticke vpon the like oc- 
casion to breake all the rest 
of the Commandements one 
after another. 

Therefore for Christs sake 
be watchfull that the Deuill 
deceiue you not, nor none of 
his instruments draw thee 
away from this dayes duty. 

131 Hee 



The Mothers 



Hee is alwaies busie and 
ready at hand to draw thee 
away from God, but this day 
without doubt hee doubles 
all his forces, hee will pro- 
uoke thine eies to sleepe,hee 
will send heauinesse and 
dulnesse to thy heart, and 
perhaps paine to thy body, 
if he can so much preuaile : 
any sleight, any tricke to 
stay thee from Gods house, 
and from the Congregation 
of his people, hee will surely 
vse, nay hee will sometimes 
doe it with religious pre- 
tences, as to pray at home, 
reade a Sermon, study the 
Scripture, and to spend the 

I3 2 time 



Legacie. 

time in such Christian exer- 
cises, as are infinitely good 
at other times. But I once 
heard a religious Preacher 
affirme (and I beleeued him) 
that those who had ability 
of body to goe to Church, 
and yet out of any euill dis- 
position (for good it can 
hardly bee) absented them- 
selues, though they prayed, 
they were not heard. 

It behoues thee by how 
much greater his practises 
are against thee that day, so 
much the more tofortifie thy 
selfe against him : at no 
hand let him stay thee from 
the Church, there God hath 

133 promised 



The Mothers 



promised to bee present, and 
there he is. Darest thou 
then, silly wretch, absent thy 
selfe from him ? I know, 
thou darest not. Goe then 
with a heart prepared to 
pray by prayer, and going 
meditate on Gods great mer- 
cies in the creation of the 
world, his greater mercie in 
redeeming it, and mingle 
with thy meditation prayers, 
that may apply these great 
blessings to thy selfe. 

So approach and enter, 
with reuerent and feruent 
zeale, the house of GOD,and 
throwing away all thoughts, 
but such as may further the 

134 g° od 



Legacie. 

good worke thou art about, 
bend thy knees and heart to 
God, desiring of him his holy 
Spirit, that thou maist ioine 
with the Congregation in 
zealous prayer, and earnest 
attention to his word preach- 
ed. And though perhaps 
thou hearest a Minister 
preach, as thou thinkest, 
weakly, yet giue him thine 
attention, and thou shalt 
finde that hee will deliuer 
something profitable to thy 
soule, either that thou hast 
not heard before, or not 
marked, or forgotten, or not 
well put in practise. And 
it is fit thou shouldest bee 

135 often 



The Mothers 



often put in minde of those 
things concerning thy salua- 
tion. 

Thus if thou spend thy 
time at Church, thou wilt 
bee ready to giue thy selfe 
to meditate of the holy Word 
thou hast heard, without 
which truly hearing profiteth 
little. For it is with the 
soule as with the body, though 
meat bee neuerso wholsome, 
and the appetite neuer so 
great, yet if any ill disposi- 
tion in the stomacke hinder 
digestion, it turnes not to 
nourishment, but rather 
proues more dangerous. So 
the Word if after hearing it 

136 bee 



Legacie. 

bee not digested by medita- 
tion, it is not nourishing to 
the soule. Therefore let the 
time thou hast to bee absent 
from Church, bee spent in 
praisingGod, prayingto God, 
and applying to thy selfe 
what thou hast heard. If 
thou hast heard a sinne re- 
proued that thou art guilty 
of, take it for a warning, doe 
it no more. If thou hearest 
of a good action which thou 
hast ouerslipt, striue to re- 
couer time, and resolue to 
put it in act. Thus by 
practising what thou hearest, 
thou shalt binde it to thy 
memory, and by making it 

i 37 thine 



The Mothers 



thine owne, make thy selfe 
most happy. 

Learne of Isaiah, the true 
obseruation of the Sabbath: 
If thou turne away thy foot 
from the Sabbath, from doing 
thy will on my holy day, and 
call the Sabbath a delight to 
consecrate it as glorious to 
the Lord, and shalt honour 
him, not doing thy owne 
wayes, nor seeking thine 
owne will, nor speaking a 
vaine word : Then shalt thou 
delight in the Lord, and I 
will cause thee to mount 
vpon the high places of the 
earth, and feed thee with the 
heritage of Jacob thy Father, 

138 for 



Legacie. 

for the mouth of the Lord 
hath spoken it, Isaiah 58. 

13. 

It is a wonder to see how 

often God hath commanded 
thisoneCommandement,and 
yet how slacke we are to 
keepe it. Exod. 3 1 . from the 
12. verse, is all commanding 
this: againe in the 34. 21. 
and diuers places more. 

Learne then to prepare 
thy heart early for this day, 
which if thou obseruest well, 
God will blesse thee and thy 
labours all the weeke. Thus 
farre I haue endeuoured to 
exhort thee to thy duty to- 
wards God. 

«39 ( I2 ) Of 






The Mothers 



(12) 

Of which the honour due 
to thy Parents is such a part 
as cannot be separated ; for 
God commands it, Honour 
thy father and thy mother, it 
is the first Commandement 
of the second table, as, Thou 
shalt haue none other Gods 
but mee, is of the first ; Ido- 
latry being the greatest sin 
against God, and disobedi- 
ence to parents, being the 
ring-leader in sinnes against 
man, wee are first warned of 
them, as if in case we should 
fall into them, it were too 

140 late 



Legacie. 

late to auoid the other. For 
if wee once become in heart 
Idolaters, it will be no hard 
matter to be a bower downe 
to an Image, to abuse Gods 
holy Name, and to prophane 
his Sabbath : So if wee dare 
disobey good Parents, at that 
breach, theft, murther, adul- 
tery, falsenesse, couetous- 
nesse easily enter. 

Nay, I dare say, if thou 
breakest either oftheseCom- 
mandements, thou breakest 
all of the first and second 
Table : for as thou canst not 
bee idolatrouswithoutbreak- 
ing all the rest, so thou canst 
not bee a disobedient childe, 

i 4 i but 



The Mothers 




but thou art a murderer, a 
double one : first of nature 
in thy selfe, which if thy 
wicked purposes doe not 
smother, will of her selfe 
breake forth into that duty. 
For an example, the story of 
SEneas shewes how much it 
was obserued by them that 
receiuednotthe Commande- 
mentfromGodsowne mouth, 
as did the Iewes, yet he ex- 
posed himselfe to all dangers 
rather than he would forsake 
his father. Secondly, thou 
art amurtherer of thy father, 
who hauing stored vp all his 
ioy in thee, hath by thy dis- 
obedience his gray head 

142 brought 



Legacie. 

brought with sorrow to the 
graue ; which God forbid. 

And what difference, shall 
I say, is there betweene a dis- 
obedient childe, and an adul- 
terer ? the one forsakes her, 
by whom he giueth being 
vnto others ; the other de- 
spiseth those from whom hee 
had his owne being. Truly 
this is a fearefull adultery, 
and sinne is a crafty strum- 
pet, she will allure thee and 
delude thee. 

Againe, in being disobe- 
dient thou art a theefe, an 
impudent theefe, for thou 
doestnotonelysecretlysteale, 
but openly detaine the hon- 

143 our > 




our, reuerence and obedient 
duty, which all the world 
can witnesse is thy fathers. 

And how wilt thou auoid 
being a false witnesse ? will 
not one sinne draw on an- 
other? Wilt not thou bee 
ready to excuse thy vnnatu- 
rall obstinacy, by throwing 
calumnious aspersions on thy 
parents, giuing thy tongue 
leave to lie against thy con- 
science ? 

And lastly (Oh horrible) 
how easie a step is it to 
couet what thou thinkest 
thy parents life too long de- 
taines from thee ? 

Thus thou seest in being 
I44 disobedient 



Legacie. 

disobedient thoubreakest six 
commandements, from which 
outrage, I beseech Almighty 
God preserue thee, and giue 
thee grace to bee obedient to 
him, and to thy parents. I 
am sure thou hast a father, 
who will neuer command 
thee any thing contrary to 
theCommandements of God. 
Therefore I haue no need to 
speake to thee, how farre a 
father ought to bee obeyed : 
but humbly desire of God 
to continue him in his good 
J desires with long life, that 
he may bring thee vp in 
the feare of the Lord, and 
to giue thee a heart ready 

K 145 to 



The Mothers 



to embrace all religious 
learning. 

(13) 

The next duty equall to 
this, thou must performe to 
all the world ingenerall, Doe 
to all men as thou wouldst 
they should doe vnto thee. 
This is the commandement 
our Sauiour giues vs ; Loue 
one another: by this wee 
shall be knowne to bee his, if 
we loue one another as he 
hath loued vs. 

Yet of all that is com- 
manded vs, there is nothing 
more contrary to our wicked 
nature then this louing our 

146 neighbour 



The Mothers 



doe the workes of God, loue 
thy neighbour as he hath 
comanded, lest thou pro- 
uoke our blessed Sauiour, 
when he shall see that 
marke of the Deuill, malice 
in thee, to say as once to the 
vnbelieuing Iewes, You are 
of your father the deuill, and 
the lusts of your father will 
you doe, I oh. 8. 44. 

Oh take heed thou offend 
not God thus grieuously, that 
hee shall disclaime thee as 
none of his, because thou 
dost not loue those that are 
his. 

This, if well weighed, were 
enough to make euery man 

148 charitable, 



Legacie. 

charitable, if it were onely 
for feare to hate whom God 
loued. But to beleeue or 
iudore that God should hate 
where thou doest, were such 
animpiousvncharitablenesse 
as a good Christian must 
needs tremble at. God hath 
given thee no authoritie to 
Iudge any man, but he hath 
commanded thee to loue 
thine enemie ; Loue your 
enemies, blesse them that 
curse you, doe good to them 
that hate you, and pray for 
them that hurt and persecute 
you, that you may be the 
children of your father which 
is in heauen, Matth. 5. 44. 

149 A 



The Mothers 



A man may finde wayes 
enow to possesse the Deuill 
of his soule, but none with 
lesse pleasure to himselfe 
than this : hee may sell it, 
as did Iudas, to satisfie a 
couetous desire ; hee may 
lose it, as does many a lazie 
man his worldly estate ; be- 
cause hee will not trouble 
himselfe to looke ouer an 
account of his fortune ; hee 
sinkes ere hee thinkes of it ; 
so fares it with a negligent 
Christian. Thirdly, hee may 
pawne it, like a foolish 
vnthrift, who pawnes that 
which should keepe him all 
his life, to purchase a gay 

150 toy 



Legacie. 

toy which shall serue him a 
day or two : so doth hee that 
pawnes that rich iewell his 
soule to the griping vsurer 
the Deuill, for pleasure ; 
haply hee meanes one day 
to redeeme it, but runnes on 
his selfe-pleasing course till 
the vse hath deuoured the 
principall,and his vnmercifull 
Creditor hales him to a dun- 
geon, where he has time for 
euer to bewaile, not only his 
present misery, but the losse 
of infinite happinesse. 

These are strange enough 
that a man should sell eter- 
nitie of ioy for wealth, or 
sleepe away the time wherein 

151 hee 



The Mothers 



hee might make such a pur- 
chase, or pawne an inesti- 
mable treasure for things not 
worth esteem. But yet they 
are all better than hee that 
giues away his soule for 
nothing, as doth the enuious 
man. The couetous gets 
riches, the slothfull ease, the 
wanton pleasure, but the 
hater of his brother gets 
nothing (no not in present) 
but torment, fretting, and 
vexation : he is not the fatter 
for his meat, nor doth hee 
rest though hee sleepe, yet 
he for whom, or against 
whom hee thus toiles his 
spirit, haply eats, sleepes, 

152 and 



— — 

Legacie. 




and laughs at his enuiers 
folly, or peraduenture pitties 
him. 

The more easily to auoid 
this sinne, consider well the 
disprofits of it. Reade in 
the first Epistle of Saint 
John 3 Chap. i4. and 15. 
Verses, and in the 4. chap, 
the 8. and the 20. verses : 
reade the 13. of the first to 
the Corinthians ; there Saint 
Paul shewes that without 
charitieeuen spirituallgraces 
are of no worth. As the 
want of it brings infinite 
miserie, so the possession 
infinite ioy. By Charitie 
wee performe our Sauiour 

I53 Christs 





The Mothers 




Christs commandement,who 
often requires this of vs, as 
if hee should say, I haue 
satisfied my father for all 
the commandements thatyou 
haue broke: Now your 
taske is easie, I leaue you 
nothing to doe, but to loue 
one another; doe this and 
you doe all. By it we ful- 
fill the Law, Rom. 13. 8. 
and 10. verses. By it wee 
abide in the light, 1 loh. 2. 
10. 

Is it possible, when these 
are well weighed, that any 
man should bee so mad to 
beare an vncharitable heart 
about him, or so foole hardy 

154 to 



Legacie. 

to harbour a spleene that 
shall hazard his saluation ? 
Can wee be so cruell to our 
selues, as to deny Christ one 
Commandement ? For all 
his loue to vs, he requires 
but this testimony of our 
loue to him, which we can- 
not choose but performe if 
we doe loue him. Therefore 
take heed if thou feele any 
malice towards thy brother, 
be sure thy heart is not vp- 
right toward God. So root 
it out from thy heart, that 
no sting of it be left, for it 
will grow faster than Ionahs 
gourd. 

Answer mee not with 
I55 Flesh 



The Mothers 



1 



Flesh and bloud cannot doe 
this : I know it. But if 
thou desire God to giue thee 
his holy Spirit, thou shalt 
bee strong to suffer, and 
ready to forgiue. Thou must 
not in any thing be subiect 
to the flesh, for the wisdome 
of the flesh is death. But 
alwayes make thy spirit thy 
guide, for there is life and 
peace. 

The Deuill would desire 
no greater aduantage than 
that thou wouldest trust thy 
soule to the discretion of thy 
corruptflesh,heewould soone 
inueigle that to betray thee. 
But when thou hast put thy 

156 selfe 



Legacie. 



selfe vnder the spirit, sub- 
mitting thy will to the will 
of God, he is no more able 
to hurt thee. 

The next excuse I would 
take 'from thee, is a very 
foolish one, but so common, 
that I feare you may happen 
on it, and that is this ; If I 
should suffer wrongs pati- 
ently, what will become of 
my reputation ? what will the 
world say ? Truly if you re- 
member, Christ hath suffred 
more for you, than it is pos- 
sible for you to suffer: yet 
he neuer reuiled any of his 
enemies, nor strake his per- 
secutors^ tprayedfor them. 

157 And 



1 



The Mothers 



And his example teaches all 
that loue him to doe the like. 
He wils you to turne the left 
cheeke to him that smote the 
right, to giue to him that 
takes from you, and to goe 
with him that compels you. 
But these are strange rules 
for a generous spirit in these 
times, nay sure if I be strucke 
I must strike againe, else I 
am a coward. Indeed as for 
giuing, if it were to one that 
would desire it at my hands, 
I had rather giue a fragment 
of my right than goe to law ; 
but if hee will not sue to 
mee, He spend all I am 
worth ere I yeeld: Or I 

158 would 



Legacie. 

would goe out of my doore 
to shew a man his way, but 
I would faine see who could 
compell mee. I mary, this 
is of the right straine ; but 
nowlooke with a considerate 
eye vpon this custome of the 
world, and the former Com- 
mandement of Christ, and 
thou shalt finde them iust 
opposite. 

Therefore take heed, and 
let it bee thy cheife care, 
neuer to prize thy reputation 
with men equall to the sal- 
uation of thine owne soule. 
But if thou desirest to keepe 
thy credit vnblemished,serue 
God with an vpright heart, 

I59 and 



The Mothers 



and doe nothing to any man, 
that thou wouldest not bee 
content hee should doe vnto 
thee. Open thy hand to the 
poore according to thy abi- 
lity, meddle not with other 
mens occasions, but where 
thou maist doe good, and 
hast a calling to it. And if 
it bee in thy power to hurt 
thine enemy, let it passe, doe 
him good if thou canst, and 
boast not of it : hee that sees 
thee in priuate, will openly 
reward thee. 

Lastly, let thy heart bee 
kept alwaies in awe of this 
want of charity, bycontinuall 
remembring that thou hast 

1 60 of 






Legacie. 

of thySauiour no other forme 
of praier to desire forgiue- 
nesse for thy selfe, than that 
wherein thou couenantest to 
forgiue others. All the 
other petitions wee present 
vnto God absolutely : onely 
this is conditionall, hee for- 
giue vsas weeforgiue others. 
Our Sauiour hath taught vs 
no other way to desire it, 
and in the 18. of Matthew 
hee shewes God will no 
otherwise grant it. 



Sine fine finis. 



161 



/■* 



V 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: Nov. 2005 

PreservationTechnologies 

A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 

1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 16065 
(724)779-2111 






■■ 



I I . 



H I 1 1 






■ .' 



■ 




